Hazmat training simulates 'real-world' disaster

National Guard members take part in a simulated hazardous materials exercise on Wednesday at the rear entrance of Nickell Memorial Gymnasium, 2722 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

A white, powdery substance resembling anthrax was found Wednesday morning in a Topeka building, but relax — there was no real danger.

It was part of a hazardous materials exercise designed to sharpen the skills of Civil Support Teams from National Guard units in Kansas and Nebraska.

The powdery substance, which was harmless, was the focal point of the daylong exercise carried out at Kansas National Guard headquarters, 2722 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

The exercise was designed to help Guard members work cohesively in the event of an actual emergency involving weapons of mass destruction.

Personnel from the Kansas National Guard’s 73rd Civil Support Team based in Topeka and the 72nd Civil Support Team based in Lincoln, Neb., worked together on the exercise.

Maj. Robert Cole, commander of the 73rd Civil Support Team, said the goal of Wednesday’s program was to enable units from Kansas and Nebraska to become familiarized with each other and learn how better to communicate during an actual emergency.

“It’s very important to practice,” Cole said. “The last place you’d want to meet for the first time is at an actual disaster.”

Cole said the practice would help National Guard troops from Kansas and Nebraska gain a working knowledge of each other, so they can “get right down to business” if they come together on a disaster.

Though Cole said Topeka and Kansas haven’t seen a major threat to this point, that could change at any time.

“The threat’s out there,” he said. “We need to be prepared for it.”

About 32 soldiers — or 16 from each state — took part. They set up about a dozen hazmat and emergency response vehicles behind the Kansas National Guard’s headquarters for the drill in an attempt to simulate as closely as possible an actual emergency.

A command post was set up in a small trailer, and those inside it were able to communicate via radio with team members who wore orange protective jump suits that covered their entire bodies as they investigated hazardous conditions inside an office at the Kansas National Guard’s Nickell Memorial Armory.

Nearly every facet of an actual hazmat emergency was re-enacted, including a decontamination process for the soldiers who came into contact with the white powder.

First Sgt. Lucas Poppe, of the Nebraska 72nd Civil Support Team, said taking part in the event was “really helpful,” particularly as it provided hands-on training for communication.

“It’s big,” he said. “It keeps everybody on the same sheet of music.”

Poppe also said the training exercise allowed the soldiers from Kansas and Nebraska to become more efficient as they went through the simulated drill.

Also taking part was the Federal Bureau of Investigation Hazardous Response Team from the Kansas City area.

In 2007, Congress expanded duties for Civil Support Teams. In addition to responding to emergencies involving weapons of mass destruction, the Civil Support Teams were allowed to travel to natural and man-made disasters where catastrophic loss of life or property was possible.

Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, Kansas adjutant general, said Wednesday’s simulation created a “realistic training environment” that was “crucial to improving how we operate in a real event and in ensuring everyone is fully prepared.”